In terms of the struggle between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall within the UFC, Rashad Evans admits there’s a part of him that truly hopes it by no means occurs.
Now make no mistake, the previous UFC mild heavyweight champion and UFC Corridor of Famer loves the struggle, however he additionally is aware of the stakes for Jones, who’s broadly thought of the best fighter of all time with a virtually unblemished document exterior of his lone loss, which got here through disqualification. When it comes to profession accomplishments, Jones basically sits in a class all his personal.
However Evans explains why as a lot as he would like to see Jones struggle Aspinall, he additionally acknowledges the potential draw back of that matchup.
“Right here’s the factor I’m sort of torn about it,” Evans advised MMA Preventing. “I really feel just like the a part of me, the fan aspect of me positively desires to see it. I wish to see it for certain. However the different a part of me who’s like very impressed with what Jon Jones is ready to do, wish to see him exit on prime and never even need to [fight again].
“As a result of there’s the factor about it, there’s all the time going to be any person. He beats Tom Aspinall, folks [will say] yeah, there’s this new man. There’s all the time going to be that final dragon to conquer. A part of me can respect him for not taking the struggle, however one other a part of me is rather like man, you higher step the f*ck up and beat this boy. I’m sort of combined about it to be trustworthy.”
A part of Jones’ argument in opposition to going through Aspinall has largely boiled right down to the British heavyweight’s general resume together with related considerations that if he wins, there’s instantly going to be one other challenger ready within the wings.
By virtually each measure doable, Jones has completed greater than sufficient to retire now and his legacy is ready in stone however how a lot does that doubtlessly change if he loses?
Evans says that’s the opposite a part of his argument in opposition to the struggle as a result of he is aware of age ultimately catches as much as everybody and Jones isn’t immune from getting older.
“Right here’s a factor that’s a certain factor — ultimately time will get you,” Evans stated. “Irrespective of who you might be, Jon has been very blessed contained in the octagon and he’s been in a position to actually stay undefeated and look good doing it regardless of his shut fights.
“However ultimately, you grasp in a barbershop lengthy sufficient, you’ll get a haircut. You’re going to get clipped one time. I’m on the web page of you recognize what, you probably did it. Simply sit back.”
Whereas Evans was as soon as very shut with Jones after they had been each coaching out of Greg Jackson’s gymnasium in New Mexico, he hasn’t spoken to his former teammate for fairly a while.
That’s why Evans can’t communicate to Jones’ present mentality about combating or the potential finish of his profession however he is aware of it’s actually exhausting for some athletes to stroll away when the game has change into their complete identification.
“I don’t know Jon Jones now and I don’t know if there’s part of him that wants this in a manner,” Evans stated. “There’s generally that you may be in one thing for thus lengthy that it simply turns into a lot part of who you might be, rediscovering your self in a special body exterior of it’s perhaps not one thing that you simply’re able to discover and perhaps not one thing you’re prepared to surrender.
“I don’t know Jon Jones proper now so I don’t know if that’s even a story that’s even in his concern.”
Evans can communicate from private expertise about his personal profession when he determined it was time to hold up his gloves and he wasn’t certain which path he was headed with out being acknowledged for combating any longer.
It took him plenty of time and soul looking to lastly stroll a special path and now Evans is resolved in his identification each inside and out of doors the cage. Evans doesn’t know if that’s even a topic that Jones has broached whereas contemplating the potential finish of his profession.
“I went via hell,” Evans stated. “I went via literal hell simply rediscovering who I used to be. Numerous questioning myself, questioning my choices, reliving some painful reminiscences and choices that I made and simply plenty of soul looking. Some individuals are not up for that. Some folks discover it exhausting to do this and so they discover themselves soothing themselves with some sort of behavior that finally ends up being a deteriorating issue for them healthwise.
“I simply hope for him that he’s in a position to make that transition. As a result of the issues exterior the octagon, they tackle a special complexion if you find yourself not a pay-per-view star.”
